A Hunter Valley recycling plant has proposed a 400 percent expansion of its operations, a development deemed state significant. The Kurri Kurri Integrated Resource Recovery Centre (IRRC), located at 8 Styles Street, is owned by Central Waste Station Pty Ltd and currently processes 90,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of non-putrescible general solid waste, including building materials, plastics, paper, and cardboard.
Under the proposal, the plant would increase its capacity to 450,000 tpa, with on-site storage of up to 40,000 tonnes of material, and operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The site would also expand to include properties at 1, 8, and 10 Styles Street and 145 and 147 Mitchell Avenue.
The environmental impact statement (EIS) states that the waste type accepted and operational processes will remain generally the same, but changes to the site layout aim to optimize operations and increase the proportion of waste diverted from landfill. The plant targets an 85 percent resource recovery rate, which would divert up to 382,500 tpa of waste from landfill.
The EIS highlights the centre's proximity to the Hunter Expressway, its location in an established industrial zone, low environmental impact, and potential to drive employment and training in a low socio-economic area. Central Waste Station also operates a centre in Cardiff and is establishing a waste transfer station in Muswellbrook.
Public submissions for the Kurri Kurri expansion close on December 10.
